Lowdham man charged with drug offences after four people taken ill in Nottingham city centre

A man has been charged with drug offences after four people were taken ill in a city centre.

The emergency services attended Barker Gate, in the Lace Market area, at 9.45am on Wednesday (August 28) after patrolling police officers came across a man who had collapsed.

Response and neighbourhood officers treated the casualty at the scene before paramedics arrived and took him to Queen’s Medical Centre.

Three others were taken ill nearby and were also taken to hospital.

It was believed the individuals may have taken a bad batch of drugs.

Jodie Brown, of Nottingham Road, Lowdham, has been charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

The 49-year-old has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today (August 30).

Two women, aged 27 and 30, were also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and have since been bailed.

A 69-year-old man was also arrested but later released without charge.

Chief Inspector Karl Thomas, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Thanks to the quick and effective response by neighbourhood and response officers and our colleagues at East Midlands Ambulance Service, all four patients are expected to make a full recovery.

“Since this incident, a team of skilled detectives have pursued a number of lines of inquiry to establish the full circumstances with assistance from Nottingham City Council’s CCTV control room.

“A suspect has now been charged and put before the courts and I'd like to thank the investigation team for their hard work on this case.

“Drugs blight our communities and ruin people’s lives which is why we are working tirelessly to target and disrupt offenders involved in their illegal supply.

“We will continue to use every tactic available to us to locate, enforce, and prosecute offenders as part of our ongoing efforts to keep local communities safe.”